Exam 3 Spinal cord SG (pt1)

Question 1

Name the meninges of the spinal cord in sequence from outermost to innermost

Answer 1

Dura mater (outermost)

Arachnoid mater

Pia mater (innermost)

Question 2

What is the relationship between spinal meninges and cranial meninges?

Answer 2

spinal meninges surround the spinal cord, and are continuous with the cranial meninges, which encircle the brain

Question 3

Of what is the dura mater composed?

Answer 3

dense, irregular connective tissue

Question 4

Name the substance within the: subdural space, subarachnoid space, central canal.

Answer 4

subdural space - interstitial fluid
subarachnoid space - CSF
central canal - CSF

Question 5

What is the function of denticulate ligaments?

Answer 5

suspend the spinal cord within its dural sheath, protecting it against sudden displacement

Question 6

What is the extent of the spinal cord in adults?

Answer 6

In adults the spinal cord extends from the medulla oblongata to the superior border of the second lumbar vertebra

Question 7

Where in the vertebral column is the terminus of the conus medularis?

Answer 7

in adults ends at the level of the IV disc between vertebrae L1 & L2

Question 8

Between which vertebrae is a spinal tap normally performed in adults?

Answer 8

between vertebrae L3 and L4, or between L4 and L5

Question 9

Name the two roots of spinal nerves.

Answer 9

• Posterior (or dorsal) root

- Anterior (or ventral) root

Question 10

What does the posterior root have with regard to sensory and/or motor function?

Answer 10

contains only sensory axons which conduct nerve impulses from sense receptors into the CNS

Question 11

What does the anterior root have with regard to sensory and/or motor function?

Answer 11

Contains axons of motor neurons that conduct nerve impulses from the CNS to effector organs and cells

Question 12

What is the causative agent of polio?

Answer 12

poliovirus

Question 13

What nervous tissue does polio affect?

Answer 13

destroying cell bodies of motor neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord and in nuclei of cranial nerves

Question 14

Describe ascending tracts regarding: direction of impulses carried, whether motor or sensory, white matter or gray matter.

Answer 14

comprise of axons that conduct nerve impulses toward the brain

Sensory

White matter tracts

Question 15

Describe descending tracts regarding: direction of impulses carried, whether motor or sensory, white matter or gray matter.

Answer 15

carry nerve impulses down the spinal cord

Motor

White matter tracts

Question 16

Describe the general functions of white matter and gray matter in the spinal cord.

Answer 16

White matter tracts ascend to or descend from the brain

Gray matter processes information input and output

Question 17

How are spinal nerves named and numbered?

Answer 17

According to the region and level of the vertebral column from which they emerge

Question 18

What is the general relationship between the exit of a spinal nerve from the vertebral column and a given vertebra?

Answer 18

Most spinal nerves exit inferior to the vertebra of the same number, except for cervical nerves

Question 19

Why are there 8 pairs of cervical nerves, but only 7 cervical vertebrae?

Answer 19

Because C1 exits superior to the atlas (which is the first cervical vertebra)

Question 20

Why do some spinal nerves

Answer 20

because spinal cord elongation stops about age 4 or 5 years, but vertebral column growth continues.

Question 21

What spinal nerve roots comprise the cauda equina?

Answer 21

lower lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal nerves

Question 22

What do posterior rami of spinal nerves supply?

Answer 22

deep muscles and skin of the dorsal surface of the trunk

Question 23

What do anterior rami of spinal nerves supply?

Answer 23

muscles and structures of the upper and lower limbs and the skin of the lateral and ventral surfaces of the trunk

Question 24

What spinal nerve component supplies the vertebrae and associated structures?

Answer 24

The meningeal branch of each spinal nerve

Question 25

Which rami of spinal nerves form plexuses?

Answer 25

the anterior rami of spinal nerves